Okarito Boat Tours & Okarito Nature Tours
Kayaking with HeronsSituated within the South Westland World Heritage area, Okarito Lagoon contains over 5000 hectares of shallow waterways and wetlands. It is New Zealand’s largest unmodified estuary and the primary feeding ground for kotuku (great white egret). Over 72 bird species have been recorded here including royal spoonbills, fernbird, bittern, little shags, migratory waders and the Okarito brown kiwi.
A magnificent landscape of pristine rainforest and the Southern Alps, including Mounts Cook and Tasman make this a nature photographer’s dream.
You can see Kotuku all year round at Okarito. There are two ways to see the Lagoon:
OKARITO BOAT TOURS
Join local ecologist Ian James aboard the 'Explorer Douglas', a boat designed for quiet birdwatching, photographic and educational cruises on Okarito Lagoon. Daily cruises depart at 8am (December, January and February), at 9am in other months and last 2.5 hours.
OKARITO NATURE TOURS
We offer rental and guided kayak tours on the lagoon. Previous kayaking experience is not necessary and we have half day, full day and overnight options.
Okarito Boat Tours & Okarito Nature Tours Contact Details
Postal Address
Contact: Okarito Boat Tours Private Bag 777 Hokitika, New Zealand
Okarito Nature Tours PO Box 89, Franz Josef, South Westland 7952
Phone: +64 3 753 4017
fax: +64 3 753 4014
email:
kayaks@okarito.co.nz website:
http://www.okarito.co.nz